For eating, assume a hostess-seated, served table a la TGI Fridays, Applebee's or some other middle class dining establishment. Assume this is purely voluntary... you're alone and feeling peckish and/or bored. It's not your last meal or only chance ever to see the movie your cat starred in.

Would it bother you to be alone...

I'm male and would dine alone but wouldn't see a movie alone:

7 (10.4%)

I'm male and would see a movie alone but not dine alone:

6 (9.0%)

I'm male and would do both alone :

31 (46.3%)

I'm male and would do neither alone.:

9 (13.4%)

I'm female and would dine alone but wouldn't see a movie alone:

0 (0.0%)

I'm female and would see a movie alone but not dine alone:

0 (0.0%)

I'm female and would do both alone :

13 (19.4%)

I'm female and would do neither alone.:

1 (1.5%)

Total:

67

Extra credit I won't clutter the poll with: Would you go to a music show alone? Theater production?

I go to movies and eat alone. Sometimes it's my only chance to get some time for myself. Theater and a concert, maybe. Really depends how badly I want to see those. I'd probably still drag someone along, but barring that I'd still go by myself if I had to.

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George Carlin wrote:

I think it’s the duty of the comedian to find out where the line is drawn and cross it deliberately.

I'll eat alone, but it's weird to see a movie alone to me. I suppose it's from some sort of subconscious (and illogical) notion about the food being requisite for survival, while the movie is pure leisure.

I'd do both alone, as well as theater and concerts if I really want to see something. Depending on the venue, some things are better to go to alone, depending on which friends I'd be able to get to come with me. If it's a movie or concert that I just want to sit there and watch and pay attention and be undisturbed, there are just some people you can't bring.

Dinner and movies, yes. For solo dining I'll usually go somewhere that has good craft beer and just eat at the bar. I won't take up a table for just myself. I very rarely go to the movies anymore because I usually have a better experience watching them at home. However, if I'm stuck for a few hours, say waiting for auto work or something, I'll go watch a movie that my wife would have no interest in watching.

I don't think I could go to a concert alone though. Something about that doesn't feel right to me. I'd need someone there to reaffirm how ****** the opening band is I guess.

I'd do a movie alone only if it was something I REALLY wanted to see, but then again, if it's that good a movie, I shouldn't have a problem finding a companion to go with. Dining alone would be less interesting though. If I'm just in it for the food, there's always take out (even at most middle / upper-middle class establishments). A big part of the dining out experience for me is conversation and company.

Dinner for me would be most awkward, unless it is a place where you can sit at the bar and eat. I don't know if stand up counts as a theatrical performance, but I saw Carlin twice without bringing anyone with me. I certainly found no shame in it.

I'd eat alone, especially in today's world of smart phones where I'm guaranteed to have something to preoccupy me besides the flippy drink/dessert menu thing.

I'd see a movie alone in theory but in practice it'd require the perfect storm of no one else being willing, it being a film I REALLY want to see on the big screen as opposed to on DVD and a block of free time that I could justifiably spend sitting in the dark for 120 minutes. So, in practice, probably not.

I wouldn't go to the theater alone. In theory I would see a music event alone if no one else would go and I really wanted to see them although, in reality, I'm not sure how well that would fly with the other half

I go out for supper after work to one of my favourite restaurants fairly regularly. I'll usually see if anyone else wants to go, but I'm happy to go by myself. They have a kitchen bar though, so you can sit and watch the chefs cook, which is fun.

I barely ever go to movies anyway, so no, I wouldn't go alone, although I would watch one at home if I wanted to even when no one else is around. Mostly on netflix.

I have gone to a symphony alone, but that's mostly because I have seasons tickets and the people who I usually go with couldn't make it that week.

I eat alone all the time. I usually travel for work purposes and just plop my netbook on the table and catch up on my shows while I eat or read a book or play with my phone. I've seen a movie alone but don't particularly prefer it. For entertainment like a movie, theater or concert, it's nice to look at someone else's face and share the experience.

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That's the kind of dude I was lookin' for And yes you'll get slapped if you're lookin', ho

I've gone to see movies alone. Generally when bored. But the actual film isn't really a social event, so it makes no difference to me.

I picked no for eating, but it's more of a maybe. At an Applebees/TGIFridays, probably not. I'd likely eat while doing work, so I'd need wifi and a less irritating atmosphere (meaning, fewer children). I only generally eat out as a social thing, anyway, because it's so much cheaper to cook.

I'd go to a show alone, but would definitely prefer to go with someone.

I eat alone all the time. I usually travel for work purposes and just plop my netbook on the table and catch up on my shows while I eat or read a book or play with my phone. I've seen a movie alone but don't particularly prefer it. For entertainment like a movie, theater or concert, it's nice to look at someone else's face and share the experience.

oh yeah, when travelling by myself I eat alone all the time. I didn't really count that though, as it's not like I'm going to cook food in my hotel room.

I eat alone all the time. I usually travel for work purposes and just plop my netbook on the table and catch up on my shows while I eat or read a book or play with my phone. I've seen a movie alone but don't particularly prefer it. For entertainment like a movie, theater or concert, it's nice to look at someone else's face and share the experience.

oh yeah, when travelling by myself I eat alone all the time. I didn't really count that though, as it's not like I'm going to cook food in my hotel room.

Actually, this topic was inspired by an article about some woman starting a "match-making" website where women could find other women to have lunch with them, especially while traveling. There's supposedly enough women out there uncomfortable eating by themselves in public to warrant such a service. Sad tales of hotel microwaved macaroni from an Omaha convenience store or something because hitting the local Ruby Tuesdays all alone was too traumatic.

I don't like people in general and would prefer to do most things alone.

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publiusvarus wrote:

we all know liberals are well adjusted american citizens who only want what's best for society. While conservatives are evil money grubbing scum who only want to sh*t on the little man and rob the world of its resources.

If by some miracle the Mrs. said "here's $30, I'm going to take the kids for the afternoon, why don't you treat yourself to lunch and a movie?" I'd probably crap my pants, giggle with glee, and rush off without a second thought.

Assuming, of course, I didn't have a heart attack there on the spot and waste my 4 hours of freedom in the emergency room.

Yeah I would eat out by myself without a second thought. Watching a movie I voted yes due to I would do it if I actually went out and watched movies, which I really don't. I would go and watch movies though if I was into that. Same goes for a concert, last one I went to was down in Houston with a friend. I wouldn't mind going by myself if I could be ***** to get off my bum and go.

I'd go have dinner alone as long as they serve good beer, wouldn't go see a movie but I don't really like going to a cinema in the first place.

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Theophany wrote:YOU'RE AN ELITIST @#%^ AETHIEN, NO WONDER YOU HAVE NO FRIENDS AND PEOPLE HATE YOU. someproteinguy wrote:Aethien you take more terrible pictures than a Japanese tourist. Astarin wrote:One day, Maz, you'll learn not to click on anything Aeth links.

I do both alone. I tend not to plan things, instead I just go when I feel like it. Unless I'm already with someone, I just just go by myself. I never understood why it's odd to go to a movie alone. Sitting next to someone doesn't make the movie better, and unless you're an *** you won't be talking during the show. I've been to two Distant Worlds concerts by myself. Sadly, I don't know anyone that would want to go them, and I didn't want to drag someone along that would get it.

I've eaten at a bar alone, and seen plenty of matinee movies alone, but probably wouldn't choose to go to a seated restaurant by myself.

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"The Rich are there to take all of the money & pay none of the taxes, the middle class is there to do all the work and pay all the taxes, and the poor are there to scare the crap out of the middle class." -George Carlin

I've no problem eating or going to the movies by myself. I usually prefer going to the movies alone anyway, I hate it when people try to do a commentary during a flick. This is one of the reasons why a movie is a bad first date for me, if the girl tries to talk the whole time it just ****** me off, and the whole idea of a first date is to get to know each other.

Regarding a *cough* play, or concert I would prefer company.

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Some people are like slinkies, they aren't really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs.

I go to movies and eat alone. Sometimes it's my only chance to get some time for myself. .

Mostly because the foods I really want to eat my children are either too young for (Sushi) or have not yet cultivated a taste for (Indian, Lebonese)

Although I suppose since all serve rice and some kind of veggie, my kiddos would be thrilled but, I'd like to taste my food, savor the flavors and with children, I don't enjoy what I'm eating :/ I'm too busy worrying about them and their needs.

I'll see movies alone. I've seen concerts alone and I have been to theater alone. If I have the free time, and my mother can watch my children or my children are at preschool, I will indulge. It's not that I dislike people, but I really value my alone time now since it is so rare.

Depending on where you live, there are recommended restrictions on fish because of mercury levels. Here in the Great Lakes area they tell us not to have pregnant women or children eat the fish, but they don't really give an age on the children.

Thats the rule of thumb I'm going by; Mine are currently 2 & 3. or the rule is that niobia is an incredibly paranoid mommy

My wife apparently got herself a decent amount at her first birthday party, how a 1 year old manages to sneak poke I'll never understand, but there it is. Our little one is three and hasn't tried anything like that yet, but that has more to do with her not trying things in general. The only "meat" she eats is chicken nuggets.

Theophany wrote:YOU'RE AN ELITIST @#%^ AETHIEN, NO WONDER YOU HAVE NO FRIENDS AND PEOPLE HATE YOU. someproteinguy wrote:Aethien you take more terrible pictures than a Japanese tourist. Astarin wrote:One day, Maz, you'll learn not to click on anything Aeth links.